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Snail of Approval Award Recipients
SNAIL OF APPROVAL
Celebrating our Snail of Approval Awardees!
These businesses embody Slow Food values through excellence in Sourcing, Environmental Impact, Cultural Connection, Community Involvement, Staff Support, and Business Values. Thank you for proving that food can be good for eaters, producers, and the planet.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AND EXPANDING OUR MISSION OF GOOD, CLEAN, AND FAIR FOOD FOR ALL!
Denver Snail of Approval Recipients
Annette
Caroline Glover founded Annette in the fall of 2016. She created Annette for three simple reasons: to serve dinners as though they were guests in her home, to make a place where people can share food — and tell stories — they’ll remember, and to prepare “scratch-to-table” and wood-fired fare that honors food producers, nourishes eaters and embodied craftsmanship, creativity and rustic simplicity.
Barolo Grill
A cherished Cherry Creek staple since 1992, Barolo Grill brings Northern Italian hospitality to Denver with warmth, elegance, and intention. Owner and wine director Ryan Fletter has shaped Barolo into more than just a restaurant—it’s a culinary experience rooted in relationships, seasonality, and sustainability.
The menu evolves weekly, highlighting ingredients from Colorado farms and purveyors the team knows by name. Their seasonal approach, thoughtful sourcing, and deep respect for food and wine culture embody everything Slow Food celebrates.
The menu evolves weekly, highlighting ingredients from Colorado farms and purveyors the team knows by name. Their seasonal approach, thoughtful sourcing, and deep respect for food and wine culture embody everything Slow Food celebrates.
Bibamba
Bibamba is a Denver-based company specializing in artisanal chocolates. They source their cacao beans directly from their own sustainable farm in Cameroon, ensuring ethical practices and high-quality products. Committed to community and local support, the business not only sells direct to Denver customers and businesses, but also offers direct support to their farm employees.
Bruto
The Brutø menu is centered around core ingredients, curated thoughtfully and carefully in a way that encourages little to no waste between their tasting counter and their bar program. BRUTØ offers the rare opportunity to witness every step in the culinary process up close. The restaurant beautifully cultivates an intimate dining expereince with both their outstanding team and the incredible food they create from intentionally sourced ingredients.
Capello's
Cappello’s is a provider of gluten free prodcuts ranging from frozen pizza to cookie dough. The business champions the humble almond and helped to found The Almond Project in their effort to promote regenerative farming within the industry. Headquartered in Arvada, the company has a local presence, but provides both delicious and intentional grain-free foods on a national level.
Cart-Driver LoHi
Cart-Driver LoHi is more than a wood-fired pizza spot—it’s a committed member of Denver’s food-community working toward food that is good for you, good for the planet, and fair for those who grow and raise it. Here, you'll find menu items that reflect thoughtful sourcing and seasonal intention—house-made pasta, freshly shucked oysters, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies, and rotating market-plates. Their very philosophy draws inspiration from the “carrettiera” of southern Italy—farm-to-table purveyors who brought fresh vegetables, seafood and cured meats from the land and sea to village tables. They mirror that spirit, connecting the Denver community with ingredients from sustainable sources.
What makes them a standout for the Snail of Approval:
Good: Their focus on craftsmanship—wood-fired ovens, house-made pastas, fresh oysters—creates food that delights and respects the ingredient.
Clean: By embracing seasonal market plates and sourcing from producers who can tell a story, Cart-Driver helps make the link between local farms and the table.
Fair: Their commitment to sustainable seafood, local fresh ingredients and bright hospitality culture reflects care for people across the supply chain—farmers, fishers, kitchen and service staff, and the community.
What makes them a standout for the Snail of Approval:
Good: Their focus on craftsmanship—wood-fired ovens, house-made pastas, fresh oysters—creates food that delights and respects the ingredient.
Clean: By embracing seasonal market plates and sourcing from producers who can tell a story, Cart-Driver helps make the link between local farms and the table.
Fair: Their commitment to sustainable seafood, local fresh ingredients and bright hospitality culture reflects care for people across the supply chain—farmers, fishers, kitchen and service staff, and the community.
Chook
This delightful neighborhood eatery serves mouthwatering Australian-style roasted chicken. What sets them apart is their prestigious B Corp certification, a challenging accomplishment. We adore not only their responsibly sourced chicken but also their array of Colorado-sourced, veggie- centric sides like celery-apple slaw and smashed cucumbers. Their sides alone are worth a visit!
Convivio Cafe
This incredibly unique cafe is a beautiful addition to the West side of Denver as it offers a bilingual experience for everyone in addition to incredibly intentional sourcing. The two women behind this concept bring coffee and tea from Guatemala to Denver and pair it with locally sourced foods. Furthermore, the team has created a space that warmly welcomes everyone and offers a place to gather as a nonprofit, an artisan market, language exchange, and more.
Coperta
Seasonal vegetables and the freshest fish and shellfish feature prominently in Coperta cuisine, as well as meat and game from local, responsible sources. It is a simple cuisine of sustenance, using only what the earth and sea can seasonally provide–nothing more and nothing less. They proudly work with Colorado’s best farmers and ranchers to bring the highest quality Southern Italian experience to Denver.
EKAR Farm
Ekar Farm is a Denver based Jewish community farm, dedicated to connecting people with the earth and each other. They grow sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, donating approximately 20,000 pounds annually to local food access organizations. Ekar also offers educational programs on ecology, nutrition, and urban farming, fostering community engagement and promoting environmental stewardship.
Fleischer Family Farm
This local farm not only occupies a neighborhood spot at the end of a city block, but also a special spot in the hearts of everyone in their community, including ours. The family run farm operates a weekly farm stand and local CSA to increase access to fresh food. Additionally, fleischer offers classes and workshops to educate the community on growing methods, preserving skills, and more. This merely scratches the surface of the work they’re doing!
Gladys
Nestled in the Edgewater Public Market, this hidden gem dazzles with its upscale, veggie-centric cuisine. Chefs Dave and Rocky employ their artistic flair to continuously craft new dishes that showcase Colorado’s seasonal vegetables, as regulars passionately request menu items be retained due to their exceptional taste. Moreover, the restaurant demonstrates environmental consciousness by eschewing plastic wrap and prioritizing composting, even when inconvenient.
The Green Collective - Highlands Ranch
The Green Collective Eatery may be a fast-casual style restaurant, but their approach to food is anything but that. Everything from their juice jar return program to their support for other local, small businesses is incredibly intentional. They embody the words that adorn their wall, “let food be thy medicine,” beyond just physical health. They help to foster a healthy relationship with the world around them in countless ways.
The Green Collective - Wash Park
The Green Collective Eatery may be a fast-casual style restaurant, but their approach to food is anything but that. Everything from their juice jar return program to their support for other local, small businesses is incredibly intentional. They embody the words that adorn their wall, “let food be thy medicine,” beyond just physical health. They help to foster a healthy relationship with the world around them in countless ways.
Grow Local Colorado
Grow Local Colorado serves as the community as a source of fresh food for underserved communities as it donates all produce to food banks, soup kitchens, schools, and shelters. Furthermore, they utilize sustainable practices in all of their gardens and offer volunteer opportunities to engage and teach the community. Keep an eye out for their frequent volunteer days, annual fruit gleaning event, seed swaps, and more!
Haykin Family Cider
This beautiful cidery infuses each of its ciders with the passion that seeps from owners Talia and Daniel whenever they are given the opportunity to speak on cider, Colorado apples, and their community. They are not only raising the bar on cider to a new level that can perhaps only be called an art, but they are also setting new standards for environmental impact, community involvement, and thoughtful sourcing.
Healthy by Design
Healthy By Design is a local producer of pickled and fermented veggies. They do an incredible job of sourcing local, organic ingredients from Denver and Boudler area farms to create flavorful jars of healthy goodness! This awardee is shared with Boulder as a Snail of Approval with both chapters.
Healthy Harvest
We are a small family business seeking to improve our planet and our community by offering certified-organic foods and products that are sustainably made and naturally promote optimum health and wellness. We believe nature provides us with everything we need to look and feel our best.
Hey Kiddo
Hey Kiddo is where natural curiosity meets bold spirit; invention meets comfort and quality. The kitchen and bar are built responsibly, with kindness and people in mind. There is a place for everyone. If you are looking for a good + fun dinner service Hey Kiddo is the spot. If you are looking for a cocktail experience with hand rolls, OK Yeah is the place.
Horizon Verjus
Horizon Verjus produces verjus—a non-alcoholic, high-acid juice made from unripe wine grapes—as a sustainable alternative to citrus or vinegar in cooking and beverages. By sourcing unripe Colorado grapes that would otherwise go to waste, they reduce food waste and support local vineyards. Horizon Verjus collaborates with Colorado wineries, such as The Ordinary Fellow in Palisade, to create their products.
Little House of Tempeh
This farmer’s market institution has quickly become our favorite source of local tempeh. Their efforts to source intentionally, organically, and local when possible is just one reason they’ve recived our award. The family-run business strives to reduce waste, limit environmental impact, and do good in the community at every turn.
Moon Raccoon
Moon Raccoon Baking Co. is a woman-owned microbakery in Denver known for its seasonal pastries, inventive flavor combinations, and playful aesthetic. Each bake is made with care, using local ingredients and a commitment to sustainability. From pop-up markets to custom orders, Moon Raccoon brings a little bit of magic to every bite.
Mountain Crust
Mountain Crust Pizza is a Colorado-based catering service known for its wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and seasonal appetizers, all served from their custom trucks. Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability, they operate as a zero-waste company and have partnered with local nonprofits to launch the Field to Fork Dinner Series. This initiative donates 50% of its profits to support organizations targeting important topics such as sustainability and food waste.
Odell's Bagel
Odell's Bagel is a small-batch bagel company in Denver serving up hand-rolled, naturally leavened bagels with a crisp crust and chewy center. With a focus on quality ingredients and traditional techniques, each bagel is boiled and baked to perfection. Odell Bagels pops up at local markets and events, offering a rotating selection of classic and creative flavors that celebrate Colorado’s food community. They also have a bagel shop on 32nd in Highlands Square.
Potager
Potager celebrates the seasons with locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared dishes that highlight the best of Colorado’s harvest. Guided by a commitment to honest cooking and genuine hospitality, Potager offers an experience that is both exacting in craft and effortlessly welcoming—a place to enjoy food you can truly feel good about.
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